OLYMPIA – A boat launch on the Black River between Oakville and Rochester in Grays Harbor County will be closed from Monday, Aug. 13 through Sept. 15, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

The closure will be in effect while the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducts necessary maintenance work on the Black River Bridge on State Route 12, which is adjacent to the access site, said Steve Sherlock, division manager for the WDFW lands program.

WSDOT owns the access site, but WDFW maintains it for use by recreational boaters, Sherlock explained.

"WSDOT plans to post signs at the site announcing the closure, but we wanted to let people know about it ahead of time so they're not disappointed," Sherlock said.

He noted that there is another Black River access site approximately 5 miles from Oakville near Gate. To get there, turn left on the Gate Road and continue for one- third of a mile, then turn right on Schooland Road and travel two-tenths of a mile. There is a public fishing sign at the access site.